CandyGram

The Interrogation

The streetlights flew by as the unmarked police car rolled down I-65. The hum of the road and the late night, combined with the illusory safety of police presence made her eyelids droop. Tess knew that right now the cops were the danger, so she tried to stay alert. She was riding in Detective Foxx’s cruiser, squeezed into the passenger side of the front seat with the mound of radio and computer equipment between them. It was a giant luxury sedan from what looked like the late 90's, though she seemed to remember reading that Ford kept making the Crown Vic for another 10 years cause the police departments asked them to. It was smooth and had all the bells and whistles. She could barely squeeze into the passenger seat with all the electronics.

“I’m just curious, Detective,” said Tess, “Does all this junk drain the battery?”

Foxx laughed, “Yep. That’s why cops leave their cars running. Even though most rigs have 2 batteries and crazy big alternators. Leaving the radios on with the car off is a good exercise in exercise. Walking.”

Tess said, “That’s why it’s hot in here then.”

Foxx said, “Sorry about that, this car’s A/C always sucked.”

Tess said, “It’s no problem for me.”

Foxx looked over and said, “Sorry about Billings. I don’t know what the hell got into that guy.”

Tess said, “You can save it, Detective, I know you planned all that out.”

Foxx looked pained and said, “Yes. Right up until he overreacted to your response. I prefer a little more professionalism in my work. Billings took your comeback personally, and that puzzles me. It’s the first time. So I decided to bring you in tonight, instead of coming by tomorrow, to your motel or whatever.”

Tess said, “I don’t know. Since I don’t understand any of this, you honestly have the advantage of me.”

Foxx said, “You did a very good job back there. You answered our questions exactly, to the point and no opinions except when asked. One would think you were a cop or a lawyer.”

Tess said, “Well, I am neither.”

Foxx said, “I know. That’s why I’m so impressed. You also have no record whatsoever. Not even a speeding ticket.”

Tess said, “I have a speeding violation from 1989. I pled no contest at the magistrates and paid the fine in exchange for 6 month point probation. I also got a ticket for no license and registration because I couldn’t get the glove box open. Brought them into court and those fines were dropped.”

Foxx laughed, “I assume you arranged for a lawyer while you were in the bedroom.”

Tess said, “I arranged to have my dog and cat taken care of while you are going to hold me. I made some attempts to have a lawyer made aware of all this in the morning.”

Foxx said, “You didn’t bring your cell phone. You left it on the dresser. We're not going to hold you. It might take a bit to get all the paperwork out of the way, but you're not going to be detained.”

Tess said, “No. You’re just going to take it, so I didn’t see the point.”

Foxx said, “I’m not going to do anything but assign someone to get your statement. I’m going to request to have you put into protective custody.”

Tess said, “Why?”

Foxx said, “Why not? Either way it makes sense from my perspective. You might remember something important, or you might give up something important. You can't do either of those things if you are dead. And whoever actually killed the dude might come after you.”

Tess said flatly, “Oh, how very exciting.”

Foxx said, “Isn’t it great?” with a big grin.

Tess said, “Are all grown men just big children?”

Foxx said, “Of course!”

Tess leaned back in the seat as well as she could and closed her eyes. She’d not felt this safe in a long time. The road went by and she drifted off. Tess woke up to Detective Foxx tapping her shoulder, “Good morning, Ms. Smith, we’re here.”

Tess yawned and said, “Yes. What time is it?”

Foxx said, “About 130. Come on in, I’ll get you some coffee and a place to sit down. We need to find someone to take your statement, and then get the permissions going for protective custody. Let’s go on in.”

The county Public Safety headquarters included the courtrooms, police headquarters, assessors, all the regular county officer's stuff. Tess had never been there. Foxx led her to an office with a bunch of desks, busy looking but not occupied and some chairs in a line along the back. Across from the desk were a bunch of interview rooms. Foxx said, “It’s a quiet night, usually these desks and the chairs are full, and the interview rooms are stacked three deep. We should have you in and out by end of shift.”

Tess said, “Fine.”

Foxx said, “You don’t seem very enthused.”

Tess said, “I’d really rather all this never happened.”

Foxx said, "Well, it did happen, so you might as well enjoy it."

Tess said, "No thank you."

The waiting area chairs looked like the gate at an airport. Tess assumed they’d be like the chairs in ‘Barney Miller’ only not as clean. The whole thing was clean, well-kept and neat. Smelled like hospital disinfectant.

Foxx said, “It’s okay, grab a couch and we’ll have someone with you in a bit. My desk is that one in there,” and he pointed at a corner office with Deputy Lt. Foxx in even gold lettering and slouched off in that direction. Underneath it said Chief of Detectives, under that it said, Shift Commander.

A young lady in jeans and a t-shirt, black with cats on it, came around the corner, stopped and looked around the room. Her eyes stopped on Tess, and she strode forward with purpose, “Ms. Smith? I’m Wilhelmina. Nice to meet you. I’m really glad you’re okay. Lieutenant Foxx called me and told me you were coming in to give a statement.”

Tess stood up, and said, “I didn't really have much choice. Thanks for coming to find me. I suspect I’ll be here awhile. This room is pretty comfortable.”

Billy said, “Lt. Foxx said you looked like you could use a friendly face. Let’s go get some breakfast or something.”

Tess said, “Is that okay? I thought I was supposed to stay here.”

Billy said, ”It’s fine. You’re not in custody. You’re making a statement. I have my cell and Foxx has the number. He calls it all the time.”

Tess frowned. She felt... odd about that, “Call me Tess. Why would he do that?”

Billy said, “He pays for it. He’s my dad. Call me Billy,” and she stuck out a small delicate paw to be shook.

Tess took the hand and said, “Your Dad? He doesn’t look that old. So, you’re Billy... Foxx?”

Billy said, “Yep. That's me. Let’s go get some breakfast. The food is awful, but what the hell.”

Billy motioned down the corridor and they started walking off together.

Tess said, “So he’s married?”

Billy stopped and looked at Tess for a moment and then smiled, “No, my mom left him awhile back. Five years or so. Moved to Africa to find herself. Haven't heard a word since. She divorced him.”

Tess said, “Wait, she left him, or all of you? Africa? Why Africa? Who leaves themselves in Africa? What does that even mean, find themselves?”

Billy said, “Leaves themselves... That's funny! You know everything I know at this point. Everybody asks that very same question, why did she leave her family? So did we. Maybe she married a Nigerian Prince.”

Tess sort of paused and said, “Wow. I’m sorry, that was really insensitive. I was just shocked.”

Billy said, “No, no... It's totally natural. Everyone asks. Come on, Tess. Let's get some grub.”

Billy grabbed Tess’s arm and wrapped hers around it and pulled her in the direction of the cafeteria.

The cafeteria looked like any cafeteria, but clean. It had chairs that looked comfortable but weren't, tables that didn't match the chairs in different table sizes. Tess always wondered why they didn't just buy a bunch of 2 seat tables and push them together. Instead it looked what Adrian Monk would have designed if hired to create a cafeteria. Clean and sterile and everything in it's place. Just like nobody likes. She ordered a decaf coffee and a bear claw and wished she was at a Waffle House. Billy put both meals on her account. The cashier looked excited to ring something up at 200 in the morning. Her uniform was spotless and starched.

After they got back to the Detective branch area, Tess reflected that was the best worst meal she’d had in decades. Billy talked nonstop and ate at the same time. Billy talked about current events, her job as a dispatcher, college, commuting, her hobbies, Tess didn't have to do anything but nod and smile. They didn’t receive a page from Foxx, the elder, and so they took their time. Billy went back on shift after her meal and promised to come by after she got off. Tess sat down on the waiting room couch and pulled out her book, a true crime epic. This one was about the guy that Hannibal Lecter was loosely based on, with the pins... It had a big butcher knife on the cover. She started to read... … “Ms. Smith... Ms. Smith...”

Tess started awake, “Yes,” and she looked around... and focused. She remembered where she was and picked up the book on the floor, “Sorry. I must have dozed off.”

A young fresh-faced female clerk in a police uniform said, “That's fine, ma’am. Lt. Foxx said to give you this.”

She handed Tess a mug of coffee with cream and sugar.

Tess looked at it and took a sip. Hot. Peppermint, “Thank you,” She felt her mind clear up a bit.

Tess looked over at the corner office, which appeared to be empty.

The clerk said, “Can you come with me to the Interview Room over here? I’ll take your statement now. My name is Jan Hanstein, I am a deputy in the admin section for the county Detectives Office.”

Tess stood up and followed the young clerkly looking officer into a small room with a Formica table and a digital recorder in the table. The wall had two circular eyebolts in right at the top of the table for handcuffing prisoners in the room. She sat down on the side facing the door. The young woman put a small notebook computer down on the table and flipped the recorder on and said, “This is Deputy Hanstein, Interview, Theresa Smith, 29 July, 2021, 0413. Ms. Smith is a 59-year-old white female approx. 5 ft. tall and 130 pounds. Ms. Smith is giving the deposition freely. Ms. Smith can you state your name for the record?”

Tess said, “Theresa Smith.”

Deputy Hanstein said, “Age.”

Tess said, “59.”

Hanstein said, “Are you giving this statement freely?”

Tess said, “Yes.”

Hanstein said, “Can you tell me what happened earlier this evening?”

Tess said, “Yes. I was watching the Yankees game recap on the evening news at around midnight, when I heard a knock on the door. I put a robe on, came out to the door, looked through the peep hole saw a man. Then I opened the door. When I opened the door he fell face first against the doorframe and down onto the porch. I saw the knife in his back and I closed the door and ran to the phone to call 911.”

Tess continued to relate the events up to time the police knocked on her door.

Hanstein said, “Did you see what caused him to fall?”

Tess said, “Yes, he had a knife in his back, about halfway in. Maybe more like 3/4.”

Hanstein said, “Did you see anybody else?”

Tess said, “Nobody. It was raining very hard, with lightning and thunder.”

Hanstein asked, "Did he say anything?"

Tess sat back a bit and thought and said, "Yes... he said, 'Candygram'"

Hanstein asked, "Excuse me? What does that mean?"

Tess said, "I have no idea."

Hanstein said, "That doesn't seem very likely."

Tess said, "What doesn't seem very likely, Officer?"

Hanstein said, “Did you recognize the victim?”

Tess said, “No. I did not recognize the man. Never seen him before that I know of.”

Hanstein said, “Okay, it says here they want some background. What were you doing before the bell rang?”

Tess said, “Well depending on what time I get home from work, I do chores stuff outside or inside and then I might watch the news for a while. Lately there’s been this really good friend I’ve been talking to so that takes up a lot of my time but I don’t mind. Then I find a bite to eat and get in bed and talk to my friend online.”

Hanstein said, “Who is the good friend?”

Tess said, “He has a pen name. I don’t really know his real name. I can give you his handle if you think it's relevant.”

Hanstein said, “What’s the site?”

Tess said, “Whussup.com.”

Hanstein said, "What do you do for a living, Ms. Smith?"

Tess said, "I am a caseworker for my church charity fund. I help members, and anyone really, who needs help. Rarely they get money, more commonly food, clothing, places to sleep. Job training, I refer them to day labor services. I've gotten homeless persons tents and sleeping bags before. Sometimes we help people with their bills, and we help them balance their budget."

Hanstein looked at Tess and said, "Vagrancy is illegal in this county, Ms. Smith."

Tess looked straight back said, "It is interesting that you think that, Officer. No, it is not. "

Hanstein said, "Yes it is."

Tess said, "Better look it up. Vagrancy laws might be on the books in a community but they are unconstitutional, and in this state, are not allowed. The purpose of those laws was to give authorities an excuse to punish people they didn't like."

Hanstein said, "What else do you do?"

Tess said, "I help coordinate the cleaning, sometimes I clean myself, I second count the collections and sometimes take the deposits to the bank."

Hanstein said, "Any discrepancies in the accounts that you know of?"

Tess said, "I am not the treasurer, I just help count the deposits. All of the money collected gets deposited. If they need money for something else it gets recorded elsewhere. I hand out vouchers and arrange help, almost never money. And when we do pay someone's electric bill or something, it comes from the office, not from me. I draft a request to pay a specific expense, so it gets recorded and we (the church) pays the bill directly."

Hanstein said, "Any discrepancies?"

Tess said, "Not that I am aware of, and I wouldn't be."

Hanstein asked, "Do you have a boyfriend?"

Tess said, "No."

Hanstein asked, "No dates?"

Tess said, "No."

Hanstein asked, "So you heard the doorbell... "

Tess said, "No. Pay attention."

Hanstein asked, "Then why did you get up?"

Tess said, "Reread your notes there. I'll wait."

Hanstein said, "Fine, You heard the knock, and got up and went to the door."

Tess said, "No, again. Reread the notes."

Hanstein said, "So you lied down in bed and got your computer out. What did you do next?"

Tess said, “I watched the news. And then you already know what happened next.”

Hanstein said, “Can you think of any reason he might of come to your door?”

Tess said, “I can think of a bunch, but none of them are relevant. What I think and randomly toss about has no bearing in a statement.”

Hanstein said, “Like what?”

Tess said, “You mean an example? Four houses in from the corner and he chose to knock on that door.”

Hanstein said, “Why four?”

Tess said, “Because that’s the number of houses mine is from the corner. Why not four?”

Hanstein said, “Why did he choose four?”

Tess said, “Any reason or no reason at all. I have no idea, and idle speculation in this area isn't in my interest.”

Hanstein said, “Why do you think?”

Tess said, “That’s two. I won’t answer any question more than twice, and I won't answer that one at all.”

Hanstein said, “Excuse me?”

Tess said, “You asked me the same question three times.”

Hanstein said, “Answer the question, Ms. Smith.”

Tess said, “I did, twice. Do it again and the interview is over.”

Hanstein said, “You have to answer the questions we put to you. Please answer the question.”

Tess said, “I do not have to answer the questions you put to me. Officer, let me help you out here. I just told you the conditions under which I would continue to talk to you. Going back over my story a dozen times to ‘trip me up’ or find discrepancies is a waste of time, both yours and mine. I do not have to continue to talk to you. If you arrest me, then I absolutely will not talk to you. You already have my statement.”

Hanstein said, “Okay, Ms. Smith, let me explain something. I can keep you here all night if I choose.”

Tess put her hands flat on the table and said, “Very well, we are done. I’ll be in the waiting room next time you want to threaten me uselessly.”

Tess stood up, opened up the door and walked out and back to the couch, where she picked up her book and started to read.

Hanstein followed her out of the room and said, “Hey, where do you think you are you going?”

Tess just ignored her and kept reading.

Hanstein grabbed the book out of Tess’s hand and said, “Listen sister, I don’t know what you think…”

Tess stood up, stepped forward and took the book back and put it in her bag, then turned and walked out of the waiting area.

Hanstein said, “Hey, where do you think you’re going?”

Tess said, “Home.”

Hanstein said, “We’re not done with you yet!”

Tess said, “Yes you are. You said I wasn’t under arrest. I’m leaving.”

A voice came from the other side of the area, “Detective Hanstein, what the hell are you doing?” Foxx came up and said, “Ms. Smith, please wait a minute. Jan, get in my office, now.”

Officer Hanstein looked rebellious and then slouched into the office on the corner. Foxx turned to Tess and said, “I’m pretty sure someone violated my instructions, and I don’t like that. If you’d wait a minute, please and thank you, Billy, that is, Officer Foxx, gets off shift at 0500 and she’ll take you home. It looks like I’ve got some noses to tweak.”

Tess looked at Foxx and then sat down again. Lt. Foxx went in the office and shut the door. Soon after a loud barking voice was heard in all corners of the waiting area, but none of the words were understandable. The barking was followed by petulant murmuring. Tess picked up her book.

About 15 minutes later Billy Foxx came around the corner, “Hey Tess, Dad said I’m supposed to get you, and I told him we were taking you home. He’s going to be along later. I guess someone is in a lot of trouble. He said the statement didn't go well at all. ”

Tess said, “That’s fine. I’m reading. What do you mean you're supposed to get me?”

Billy said, “The book’s upside down.”

Tess said, “I do that for practice.”

Billy said, “Uh huh. Come on, let’s go get some cleanliness and godliness. Dad said I'm supposed to take you with me.”

Tess followed Billy to a stairwell and down to a parking garage under the complex. It looked pretty secure. They walked down the garage to an old Grand Cherokee with silver gray paint that had seen lots better days. The keyless entry worked fine and the Cherokee beeped and the locks clicked. It had a spotlight on the driver’s side and a light on the dash. There were patched holes where a bunch of equipment had been removed and the dash fixed.

“This is my car,” said Billy, “Hop on in.”

Tess said, “It’s nice.”

Billy said, “Well, I hear you. It’s seen better days, but we keep it in good shape and clean. It gets me wherever in style regardless of weather. It was an unmarked and I got it on auction.”

They got in the car and it started right up, and quietly purred as Billy pulled it out of the space and out of the parking garage turned and headed up the drive south into town.

Tess said, “Where are we going? I thought you were going to take me home.”

Billy said, “Dad said you were going into 'protective custody'. I said I’d take you home. I’m going to be your guardian angel for a while.”

Tess said, “You?”

Billy said, “Me. I am a police officer. A real one. I help out on the switchboards for extra money, because I used to be a dispatcher during college. He thinks you could be sucked into something really dangerous. One person already has died. ”

Tess said, “Well, I’m not sure I understand the reasoning here, but I guess it’s fine. At least for a couple of days.”

Billy said, “Give Dad a chance. He doesn’t make many mistakes. I’ve seen that look before. There’s something else going on here. He bundled you out of that house for a reason.”

Tess said, “I’m really tired.”

Billy said, “We’ll be home in 15 minutes.”

After about 15 minutes Billy turned into a driveway and punched the opener in the center console. The dark green garage door rose up slowly into the white house, and Billy pulled into the garage. It was a little white house on a hill, with a quaint little fence and a small porch next to the garage. The garage was a pretty standard two car with a door in the back up a couple of steps. The inside was white as well, with a messy sort of workbench in the back.

Billy said, “My little brother should be home, but you won’t see him before about noon, maybe 5, during the summer.”

They went inside and dropped purses and stuff on the desk in the kitchen.

Billy said, “Do you want to eat, shower or sleep?”

Tess said, “Shower and sleep please.”

Billy said, “Come on then.”

Billy led the way upstairs and there was a number of doors on a hallway way longer that it had any right to be. She stopped at a closet in the hallway and grabbed a towel and a washcloth and handed them to Tess. Then she opened a door across from the linen closet into a pink girly bedroom and said, “This is my older sister's bedroom, make yourself at home, she’s married and has kids,” Billy looked Tess up and down and said, “Hang on a sec. I think we can hook you up. Hop on in there.”

The bedroom had a full-size bed, a desk, dresser, walk-in closet, a big window with lots of light, a really old-style coat rack, night-table and a computer. The closet was full of clothes.

Billy came back in and said, “I think your top is probably right, for bottoms, try these,” and placed a pile of jammies, bottoms and sweats and stuff on the dresser.

Tess said as she was getting in the pajamas, “You really don’t have to go to all this trouble.”

Billy said, “Yeah, I think we really do. Get some sleep, you’re falling over right there,” and she turned back the covers in the bed, then motioned for Tess to climb in like a mother hen corralling her chicks.

Tess hopped in the bed, laid back with a sigh. She closed her eyes and the world went away.